Water distributing device for mixers



Dec. 5, 1950 JAEGER 2,533,191

WATER DISTRIBUTING DEVICE FOR MIXERS Filed Aug. 26, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet1 ID l 17 [2 H 5 F952 23 1 INVENTOR. Gzbhcrd Joeger BY m, fw

A TTOR/VEYS Dec. 5, 1950 G. JAEGER WATER DISTRIBUTING DEVICE FOR MIXERS3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26. 1946 INVENTOR. Gebhard Jaeger:

A TTOR/VE Y5 Dec. 5, 1950 3, JAEGER 2,533,191

WATER DISTRIBUTING DEVICE FOR MIXERS Filed Aug. 26, 1946 SSheets-Sheet 5IN VEN TOR.

Gzbhard Jazger M M7 f M ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 5, 1950 WATERDISTRIBUTING DEVICE FOR. MIXERS Gebhard J aeger, Columbus, Ohio,assignor to The J aeger Machine Company, Columbus, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application August 26, 1946, Serial No. 692,949

6 Claims.

My invention relates to a water distributing device for mixers. It hasto do, more particularly, with a water distributing device or belladapted to be mounted within the mixing drum of a concrete mixer, forexample, the drum of a truck mixer.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application,Serial No. 623,562, filed October 20, 1945, now abandoned.

In mixing concrete, the mixing period cannot start until the water hasbeen introduced into the batch. In high discharge truck mixers, wherewater bells must be placed at the lower end of the drum, if the watertherefrom is to reach the large mass of material, water dis tributionhas been seriously hampered and delayed by back pressure from thematerial and clogging of the bells with grout. The back pressure fromthe material has been overcome to a, considerable extent by the use ofhigh pressure pumps to deliver the water to the bells. However, up tothe time of the development of my water bell there has been a need inthe art for a water bell which will cooperatewith the pump in such amanner as to deliver a powerful, penetrating jet into the batchmaterials. This bell should provide a positive, fast, and uniformdistribution of the water through the mass of materials, insuring bettermixed concrete even on the shortest hauls. need in the art for a waterbell which would not become clogged or rendered inoperative by grout orother material working back into it after the mixing operation isstarted, andespecially during the periods when water is not being forcedthrough the bell. Furthermore, the bell must be of such a nature that itwill resist the abrasive action of the batch materials and,consequently, will not have to be repaired or replaced after a shortperiod of use.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a water distributingdevice which is particularly applicable to concrete mixers and whichwill cooperate with the water supplying system of the mixer to provide apositive, 'fast, and uniform distribution of the water throughout themass of materials in the mixer.

A further object of my invention is to provide a water distributingdevice for concrete mixers which is particularly applicable for use witha water supplying system of the pressure type and will cooperatetherewith to deliver a powerful and penetrating jet into the batchmaterials,

throughout the batch materials even though the Also, there has been awater distributing device is completely embedded in the batch materials.

Another .object of my invention is to provide a water distributingdevice which will not open until a, predetermined pressure is appliedthereto, which is of such a structure that there will be no tendency forbatch materials to enter thereinto during the periods when water isforced therefrom and which will readily and i efficiently close and sealitself when the supply of water thereto is interrupted.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a water distributingdevice which is of such a structure that the sealing means thereof willeffectively resist the abrasive action of the batch materials, but, ifnecessary after extended use, can be quickly and easily removed andreplaced with the removal and replacement of a minimum number of parts.

According to my invention, I provide a water bell which is particularlyuseful in truck mixers of the high discharge type where the rotatablemixing drum is in inclined position. The drum is provided with anaxially disposed water-supplying pipe connected to a pressure pump andmy water bell is adapted to be carried by this pipe. My water bell maybe mounted on the lower end of the pipe, in that part of the drum wherethe materials tend to collect, and will function efiiciently even thoughit is completely embedded in the batch materials before and duringmixing. However, a second bell may be carried on the upper end of thepipe, if desired, and wll function properly even though it is subjectedto large quantities of the batch material which are thrown over it bythe mixing blades in the drum during the mixing operation.

My water bell preferably comprises a hollow body portion of circularcross-section formed of suitable metal. The body portion is providedwith means for attaching or mounting the bell upon the water supply pipeof the mixer in axial alignment therewith. The circular side wall of thebody portion is provided at a point spaced from the end thereof with aplurality of radially directed circumferentially spacedholes. I providea flexible sleeve-like valve member which encircles and embraces thebody portion. This sleeve-like valve member is preferably formed fromsome suitable elastic material, such as natural or synthetic rubber orthe like. The sleeve-like valve is clamped by a removable lamping meanswhich engages the sleeve around its periphery. However, this clamping men 1 S ch that at least one end of the sleeve is free to bulge or flexaway from the outer surface of the body portion, when water undersufflcient pressure is supplied to the bell, so that water forced fromsaid openings in the body portion will pass between the Sleeve-likevalve and the body portion and will be forced from the discharge end ofthe valve.

In accordance with my invention, the outer surface of the hollow bodyportion of the bell is outwardly flared at that end which will beadjacent the discharge end of the sleeve-like valve. The flaring of theend of the body portion in this manner serves two purposes. In the firstplace, since the flared end will be of larger diameter than thesleeve-like valve, the valve must be stretched to position it on suchflared end. Thus, the elastic material of the valve will be undertension and will tightly hug the flared end of the body portion whichwill be remote from the point where the valve is held against the bodyportion by the clamping means. Consequently, as long as water undersuiflcient pressure is not supplied to the bell, the free end of thesleeve will tightly embrace the flared end or the 'body portion andthere will be no danger of batch materials entering into the bellbetween the sleeve and body portion. When water under sufiicientpressure is supplied to the valve and causes bulging or spreading of thedischarge end of the valve, the flared end of the body portion serves todirect the water away from the axis of the bell and pipe in the form ofa frustoconical jet. This jet of water will be under considerablepressure and will be directed in such a manner that it will penetratethe batch materials and will be diffused therein quickly and uniformly.This is true even when the water bell is completely embedded in thebatch material. If it is necessary to replace the flexible valve sleeveafter extended use, it is merely necessary to remove the clamping meansand replace the sleeve with a new one.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill appear from the following description and appended claims whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a partof the specification wherein like reference characters designatecorresponding parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of a mixer drumshowing two of my water bells mounted therein.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through a preferred form of mywater bell.

Fi ure 3 is a similar view, but showing a modified form of my waterbell.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a water bell whereinwater is discharged from both ends.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along 55 ofFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing a differentarrangement of clamping means and the associated flexible sleeve-likevalve.

Figure 7 is a View similar to Figure 3, but showing the flexiblesleeve-like valve surrounded by a protecting metal casing.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view through one end portion or" theflexible sleeve.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a water bell similar toFigure 2, but having not only a threaded inlet but also a threadedoutlet so that it can be connected at its other end to a water pipe.

- to the sleeve and to the flared end 5.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, but being partly in section andpartly in elevation, showing a ball that has both a threaded inlet andoutlet, but the bell being similar to that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 showing a bell that has both athreaded inlet and outlet, but the bell being similar to that shown inFigure 4.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited in its application to thedetails of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. It isto be understood also that the phraseology or terminology employedherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

With reference to Figure l, I have illustrated one example of aninstallation of my water distributing bell. The mixing drum l is thetype commonly used on truck mixers of the high dis. charge type. Thisdrum is driven for rotation about its axis in a suitable manner and apump 2 for supplying the water under pressure is associated therewith.The axis or the drum is inclined and, consequently, the greaterproportion of the batch materials will collect in the forward part ofthe drum. Therefore, it is necessary to have one of my water bells 3adisposed at the forward end of the drum. This water bell will normallybe covered by the batch materials in the drum. A second similar waterbell 3 may be provided adjacent'the rear or upper end of the drum. Thisbell will be subjected to large amounts of material thrown over it bythe mixing blades. It'is to be understood that only one or any desirednumber of my water bells may be disposed within the drum. The waterbell, in each instance, is disposed on an axially positioned pipeextending within the drum l. The pump 9 may be suitably connected tothis pipe.

In the preferred form of my invention, shown in Figure 2, the water bellcomprises a hollow body portion i which is of circular cross-section andis generally bell-shaped. The body t is provided with an outwardlyflared end 5. Within this flared end 5 a threaded sleeve 6 is secured.This sleeve is adapted to receive the threaded end of the water supplypipe. Consequently, it serves as a means for mounting the bell on thepipe. The sleeve 55 is centered within the flared end 5 of the body 5 bymeans of a ring l which is welded A further weld 8 is provided betweenthe inner end of the valve assembly associated with the inner end of thesleeve 6. This check valve assembly includes an annular seat e which isdisposed within the inner end of threaded sleeve 8 and is welded inposition. A disc valve is is provided for cooporation with the seat 9.The disc It is of compressible material and is mounted on valve stem 5by means of a large metal disc 32 and a small metal disc [3, betweenwhich the disc it is disposed. .A nut l5, threaded on the outer end ofstem ii, retains the discs in position. The stem ii slides within asleeve 55. This sleeve is supported at the axis of the body 4 by meansof a metal cap member l3 which is mounted on the end or" the bodyopposite to the end that supports the sleeve 6. The inner end of sleeve15 carries a. washer ll which .flts around the stem ll snugly. The stemis provided with a compression spring I 8 in surrounding relationshipthereto which engages the disc I2 and the washer IT. The cap I6 isretained in position by means of studs |9 which project through openingsformed therein. These studs IS are welded or otherwise secured to theinterior of the body 4. Nuts 20 are threaded on the end of the studs andengage the outer surface of the cap I6.

Normally the one-way check valve is maintained closed by the spring |8.However, when water under suflicient pressure passes through the watersupplying pipe and engages the valve, it forces the valve open againstthe pressure of the spring l8.

Directly beyond the flared end 5 of the body 4 and the inner end ofsleeve 6, the body 4 is provided with a plurality of discharge openings2|. These openings are disposed at circumierentially spaced pointsaround the body 4 and are directed radially outwardly. When water forcesthe valve disc I ofl the seat 9, it will pass from the interior of thebody 4 outwardly through the openings 2 I.

On the outer surface of the body 4, I mount a sleeve-like flexible valve22 which closely embraces the outer surface of the body. This sleeve 22is of the same length as the body 4 and its internal diametercorresponds substantially to the outside diameter of the main partof thebody 5. As shown in Figure 8, the member 22 is formed from a straightsection'of suitable elastic tubing. For example, the member 22 may bemade of natural or synthetic rubber. The member 22 is slipped over thesmaller end of the body 4 and along the body until its end slides overthe flared end 5. It will be understood that in order to position themember 22 on the flared end 5, it must be stretched. Consequently, itwill very firmly embrace the outer surface of the flared end of thebody. Furthermore, this tight gripping action is at a location outwardlybeyond the openings 2|. Thus, there will be no danger ofbatch materialentering between the flared end 5 of the body 4 and the cooperating endof the sleeve 22 which is in firm embracing relationship thereto. Toprevent axial displacement of the sleeve 22 from the body 4, the cap |6is provided with a peripheral inwardly extending flange 23 which snuglyfits around the adjacent end of the flexible member 22 and compresses itinwardly, causing it to tightly embrace the adjacent end of the sleeve22. Thus, there is no danger of batch material entering between this endof the body 4 and the cooperating end of the sleeve 22.

When water under sufficient pressure is supplied to my water bell, itunseats the disc .iil, fills the body 4, and is forced outwardly throughopenings 2|. Water forced from openings 2| will expand or bulge the freeor discharge end of the sleeve 22 outwardly. This will permit the waterto be forced between the sleeve 22 and body to reverse its course, andtravel beyond the flared end 5. This end 5 will direct the wateroutwardly away from the axis of he water bell and will bring about abetter distribution of the water in the batch material. The water willissue from the water bell in the form. of an annular jet and will travelin a frusto-conical path. As soon as the supply of water under pressureto the bell is interrupted, the end of the sleeve 22 will again contractand tightly grip theflared end 5 of the body 4.

Thus, it will be understood that the sleeve-like member 22 performs thefunction of an elastic substantially tubular valve, which is capable offlexing or outward expanding movement under the action of water underpressure passing through the ports or openings 2|, to permit thedischarge of an annular water stream or jet between the flared portion 5of the body 4 and the adjacent unsupported end portion of the sleeve orvalve 22. Moreover, it will be understood that this valve member 22, dueto its elasticity, will tend to seal the ports or openings 2| at alltimes when the supply of water under pressure is interrupted, thuspreventing the entry of granular material from the mixer drum into thehollow body portion 4 of this device, This sealing action is enhanced bythe flared end 5 which places the material of the end of the sleeve 22under tension.

While the form of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, includesthe disc check valve assembly, it ,will be understood that the devicewill function with or without said check valve assembly,

The spring returned or seated check valve has the advantage of providingmeans to positively prevent portions of the granular material within themixer drum from entering the water supply pipe and water system,including the pressure pump, in the event that the elastic sleeve-likevalve member 22 should break or be damaged otherwise during use withoutthe operator being aware of it.

In Figure 3, I have illustrated a water bell which is similar to thatshown in Figure 2. How-. ever, in this instance, the sleeve (is forattaching the bell to the water pipe is formed as an integral boss onthe body 4a. The disc check valve includes a disc Ifla which seats on anannular seat 9a that is threaded into the inner end of the boss 5a. Thestem Ila of the valve is carried by a sleeve lea supported by membersa.A spring 811 normally maintains the valve closed.

The flared end 5a of the body ea. is more gradually flared, in thisinstance. The body 4a is provided with three sets of openings Ziaarranged at axially spaced intervals. The end of the body is closed byan integral end wall and the cap |6a is attached to this end wall bymeans of a bolt I911. The elastic sleeve 22a is exactly the same asbefore. The flange 23a of the cap Ifia is internally flared sothat itcan be easily passed over the adjacent end of the sleeve 22a. This waterbell will function practically identically with that shown in Figure 2.

In Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings there is shown a further modifiedform of water distributing bell embodying my invention. In this form,substantially annular jets or streams of.

water are emitted or discharged in opposite directions from oppositeends of the water distributing bell. As shown, the water distributingdevice of Figures 4 and 5 comprises a hollow body portion, shown as awhole at 41), having an end or outer wall 62) provided with aninternally thread ed water intake opening, the threads surrounding theopening providing means for attaching the device to the water supplypipe The outer end of the body 4b is preferably flared outwardly at 5b.The opposite end of the body 41) is preferably closed by a removablehead or end wall |6b which is secured in place upon the body by bolts orthe like lfib. The outer peripheral surface of the head i611 isoutwardly flared at 59b to correspond to the flared portion 5b of thehollow body. The side wall of the body 4?) is provided with a pluralityof ports or openings 2|b. If desired, and as shown, the removable headit?) may be provided with an inwardly projecting valve stem guide lib:to receive the valve stem Nb of a disc-like valve 101). The valve 10bis provided for the purpose of closin and sealing the water intakeopening fib wihen the water distributing device is not in use, the valve1101) being urged normally toward its seat by a valve spring 18b.

The device, as shown, is provided with a sleeve or valve member 221)which is formed from a straight length of elastic tubing, like valve 22,and slipped over the body portion 4b and removable head 16b to surroundand tightly grip or hug the side wall of the hollow body 4b, includingflared ,end $517, and :the outwardly flared peripheral portion 50b ofthe head. The sleeve thus covers and seals the discharge ports ,oropenings 21b. The sleeve or valve member 22b is preferably removablysecured or clamped to the hollow body portion 41) by means of a suitablewire clamp or the like 231) which grips the sleeve 22?) intermediate itslength and leaves the ends free. It will be noted that a row of openings21b is at each side of clamp 23b.

The operation of the device of Figures 4 and 5 is substantially the sameas those of the preceding forms, except that in this form of theinvention, separate streams or jets of Water of generally annular formare emitted or discharged in opposite directions at opposite ends of thedevice. As water under pressure enters through the intake boss 61), thevalve Hlb is unseated and the body 41) is completely filled with waterunder pressure, which escapes through the ports or openings ZIb andcauses the elastic sleeve or valve member 2227 to flex or bulgeoutwardly in opposite directions on opposite sides of the clampingdevice 23b. This provides a gradually increasing space between theflared portions '51) and 59b and the adjacent surfaces of the sleevevalve member 22b, allowing the discharge of two separate and oppositelydirected substantially annular streams or jets of water under pressurewhich are directed in frusto-conical paths. As

in the preceding forms of the invention, the

sleeve valve member 22b prevents particles of the mix from entering theinterior of the body db. If, however, damage should occur to the valve221), which damage was unknown to the operator, and some material didenter through the ports or openings 2!?) it would .be prevented fromentering the water system and pressureproducing pump by virtue of theprovision of the spring-seated disc check valve Ill-b, thus efiect v lvp v nt ny p s le damage to said system and pump.

In Figure 6 of the drawings, Iillustrate a form of my invention which isvery much like that shown in Figure 3. for clamping the flexible sleeve220 to the body do is different. In this instance, the end of the member220 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 3225c which overlapsthe closed end of the body 4c. The clamping cap 1 6c is in the form offiat disc which is attached to the closed end or the body by means ofthe bolt 19c. Thus, the flange 2292 is gripped between disc 1-50 and theclosed end of the body 40. A single series of circu m-ferentially spacedopenings 2 to is provided in this form. The member 1220 will preferablybe molded from rubber and will have a uniform diameter throughout itslength, the flange 2200 being formed on the one end thereof. in -.this:iorm also, the membe 2% will h ve o b However, the arrangement 8stretched :to fit over the flared end 50 of the b dy do. I

Referring now to Figure 7 of the drawings, there is shown in this figurea somewhat modified form of water distributing bell embodying myinvention. In this form, the hollow body portion, shown as a whole atid, is substantially the same as the body pcrtion 4a shown in Figure 3but, it will be noted, that the disc check valve assembly has beenomitted and the ports Zld are arranged slightly differently. The elasticsleeve or valve member 22d also corresponds to that of Figure B. Themeans for clamping or securing the sleeve member or elastic valve 22d tothe hollow body portion 4d comprises, preferably, a wire clampor member23d which, as shown, is provided adjacent the closed end wall of thebody to hold the corresponding portion of the valve 22d tightly againstthe side wall of said body. It will be understood that the sleeve memberor valve 22d has a snug fit with the side wall of the body id and thatit encircles and firmly grips or hugs said said walls, especially atflared end 5d, to seal the water escape ports or openings 21d.

It may be desirable, in some instances, and because of the use ofcertain materials from which the valve 22d is formed and also where thedevice is installed in a mixer for mixing particles of large size whichmight damage the sleeve valve, to provide a protecting casing or housingover said valve. One such casing or housing is shown as a whole at 25and comprises an end wall '26, outwardly flared side walls 2! which, asshown at 28 are normally spaced from the sleeve or valve member 22d andwhich terminate at their outer ends in an internal annular groove orrecess 29. As shown, the housing or casing 25 encloses the valve 22d andis secured to the hollow body portion Ad by a bolt 0r cap screw l9d.

It is, of course, desirable, where the casing or housing 25 is employed,to prevent the entry into said casing of granular material from themixer drum, which material might tend to cause deterioration oi theelastic valve member 22d. Therefore, an annulus or ring 38 of somesuitable elastic and compressible material, such as sponge rubber, ispreferably mounted in the groove or channel 29 and thus interposedbetween the open end of the casing 25 and the adjacent end portion ofthe elastic valve 22d. By virtue of the space .28 and the fact that thecasing 25 is flared outwardly toward its open end, water under pressurewhich enters the device through the hollow boss 6d and escapes throughthe outlet ports .or

openings Zld, tends to flex or bulge the elastic valve 2211, as shown bythe broken lines in Figure '7. Such water under pressure will bedischarged or emitted in the form of an annular stream or jet over theflared portion of the body 401 from the space provided by the outwardmovement or expansion of the valve 22d, in substantially the same manneras in the preceding forms.

Any of the bells so far described may be used alone in the drum i. Ifused alone, the bell will be disposed in the position of the bell 3a,shown in Figure 1, that is, adjacent the closed lower and forward end ofthe drum. The. water enters through the front of the drum, into the belland then its path is reversed so that the :water is directed towards theclosed front of the drum where the batch material tends to collect. I

If two or more of the bells are used, as shown in Figure 1, it will benecessary-to provide ;a bell th has ot a th e ded inle and threadedcutlet for mounting in the position indicated by reference character 3aon the water pipe which is axially disposed in drum I. similar to thoseshown in Figures 9, and 11. The other bell, indicated by numeral 3 inFigure 1, will be like any of those shown in Figures 2 to '7 and willreverse the flow of water and direct it towards the closed front end ofthe mixer. If like Figures 4 and 5, it will also direct water upwardly.

Figure 9 shows a water bell which is exactly like that shown in Figure 2with the exception that it is provided with an axially disposed outlet606. This outlet is threaded so that this bell can be mounted on'theforward end of the water pipe section (Figure 1) leading from theforward bell position 3a to the rearward bell position 3. The threadedoutlet tile is formed integral with the cap IBe. To permit the water toflow into the threaded outlet 613e, the cap I66 is provided with outletopenings Sic. Thus, part of the water which enters this bell will openthe flexible sleeve valve 22c and will be'directed towards the closedend of the mixer drum I. Some of the water will pass through the bell,out through openings file and then through outlet 606. This water willpass through the axially disposed water pipe section to the second bell.This second bell, as previously indicated, will be like one of thoseshown in Figures 2 to 7.

In Figure 10, I have shown another bell with threaded inlet and outlet.This bell is otherwise similar to that shown in Figure 3. Thus, the cap16f carries an integral threaded outlet 66 The cap is provided withoutlet openings Elf which align with similar openings in the end wall ofthe body 4]. Thus, the water can pass through the bell and out throughthe outlet 60 Figure 11 shows a threaded outlet on a bell whichdischarges in both directions and is similar to that shown in Figure 4.Thus, cap IBg is provided with an integral threaded outlet tidy and withcommunicating outlet openings Sig. Water will enter this bell, whichwill be in the first position to of Figure 1, and will open flexiblesleeve valve 22 so that the water will be directed upwardly anddownwardly in the mixer drum I. Some of the water will flow through theoutlet to the second bell in the position 3. If desired, the second bellmay be like that of Figure 4 so as to direct the bell both upwardly anddownwardly in the drum.

Any combination of the bells described may be employed or the bells ofFigures 2 to '7 may be used singly. A bell like that of Figure '7 mayalso be provided with a threaded outlet like Figure 10. When anarrangement like that shown in Figure 1 is employed in the drum, it ispreferred that the upper or second bell, in the position 3, be of thetype shown in Figures 4 and 5,

so that Water will be forced from both ends thereof. Thus, flow of apart of the water will be reversed and directed downwardly into thelower and forward part of the mixer drum l and part will be directedupwardly and rearwardly into the upper end of the drum. This arrangementwill more eifectively distribute the water throughout the drum.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided awater distributing device or bell for concrete mixers or the like whichhas a number of advantages over prior art structures. My water bell willcooperate with the pressure-operated water supplying system of a mixerto provide a positive, fast, and uniform dis- Thls bell will be,

tribution of the water throughout the mass of materials in the mixerdrum. Even though the water bell is embedded in the batch materials orhas large quantities of batch materials thrown thereon during the mixinoperation, a powerful penetrating jet will be delivered by the bell andwill be diffused throughout such batch materials. Due to the provisionof the flared end on the body of the bell, this jet will be spread fromthe axis of the bell in the form of a frustum of a cone and will,therefore, be more widely distributed in the materials. The sleeve-likevalve is of such a nature that it will not open until sufficient waterpressure is supplied to the bell. Thus, there will be no tendency forbatch material to enter into the bell when the supply of water to thevalve is interrupted. This sealing action is enhanced by the flared endof the body of the bell since this will cause the free end of the valvesleeve to be under tension and to tightly embrace the body of the bell.The sleeve valve is of such a nature that it will effectively resist theabrasive action of the batch materials but, if necessary after extendeduse, can be quickly and easily removed and replaced with the removal andreplacement of a minimum number of parts.

Various other advantages will be apparent from the precedingdescription, the drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A liquid distributing device for mixers or the like comprising ahollow body of circular cross-section, means for connecting the body toa source of supply of liquid under pressure, said means comprising aninlet fitting disposed within one end of said hollow body, said bodyhaving outlets in its side wall at a location spaced from the inlet endof said body, said body having an enlarged outwardly diverging portionextending from said outlets to the inlet end of said body to provide acontinuous smooth surface between said outlets and said end, a flexibleelastic sleeve of a diameter to snugly fit around said body portion overwhich it is disposed and extending over said diverging portion aroundwhich it is stretched so that it will tightly grip said portion, saidsleeve extending over the outlets and to the said end of said body so asto normally cover said outlets and the diverging portion of the body,said sleeve being adapted to flex under pressure of liquid escapingthrough said outlets to emit an annular outwardly diverging liquid sprayunder pressure at said end of said body, a removable plate carried bysaid body for covering the end of said body opposite said inlet fitting,said plate having a peripheral flange adapted to extend over theadjacent end of said body and to clamp the adjacent end of said sleeve,and check valve mechanism carried by said plate and extending intoassociation with said inlet fitting for closing said fitting as long asliquid under pressure is not supplied to said device.

2. A liquid distributing device for mixers or the like comprising ahollow body of circular cross-section, means for connecting the body toa source of supply of liquid under pressure, said means comprising aninlet fitting disposed within one end of said hollow body, said bodyhaving outlets in its side wall at a location spaced from the inlet endof said body, said body having an enlarged outwardly diverging portionextending from said outlets to the inlet end of said body to provide acontinuous smooth surface between said outlets and said end, a flexibleelastic sleeve or a diameter to snugly fit around said body over whichit is disposed and extending over said diverging portion around which itis stretched so that it will tightly grip said portion, said sleeveextending over the outlets and to the said end of said body so as tonormally cover said outlets and the diverging portion: of the body saidsleeve being adapted to flex under pressure of liquid escaping throughsaid outlets to emit an annular outwardly diverging liquid spray underpressure at said end of said body, and a removable plate carried by saidbody for covering the end of said body opposite said inlet fitting,vsaid plate having a peripheral flange adapted to extend over theadjacent end of said body and to clamp the adjacent end of said sleeve.

3. A liquid distributing device for mixers or the like comprising ahollow body or circular cross-section means for connecting the body to asource of supply of liquid under pressure, said body having outlets ini-ts side wall spaced from one end. of said body, said body having anenlarged outwardly diverging portion extending from said outlets to saidend of said body to provide acontinuous smooth surface between saidoutlets and said end, a flexible elastic sleeve of a diameter to snuglyfit around said body over which it is disposed and extending over saiddiverging portion around which it is stretched so that it will tightlygrip said portion, said sleeve extending over the outlets and to thesaid end of saidbody so as to normally cover said outlets and thediverging portion of the body, said sleeve being adapted to flex underpressure of liquid escaping through said outlets to emit an annularoutwardly diverging liquid spray under pressure at said end of saidbody.

4. A liquid distributing device for mixers or the like comprising ahollow body,. means for connecting the body to a source of supply ofliquid under pressure, said body having outlets in its side wall spacedfrom an end of said body, said body having an enlarged outwardlydiverging portion extending from said outlets to said end of said bodyto provide a continuous smooth surface betweensaid outlets and said end,a flexible elastic hollow member snugly fitting around said body onwhich it is disposed and extending over said diverging portion aroundwhich it is stretched so that it will tightly grip said portion, saidmember extending over the outlets and to the said end of said body so asto normally cover said outlets and the diverging portion of the body,said member being adapted to flex 12 under pressure of liquid escapingthrough: said outlets to emit an outwardly diverging liquid spray underpressure at sai'd endofi'said: body.

5. A liquid distributing member according to claim 4- wherein saidhollow elastic member is of rubber and normally has an inside dimensioncorresponding substantially to the" outside dimension ofsaid body andless than that ofsaid outwardly diverging portion.

6. A water distributing device for concrete mixers or thelike adaptedtobe subjected to the materiaL being mixed in the mixer comprising ahollow body. means for connecting the body to a source of supply ofwater under pressure, said body having. outlets in its side wall spacedfrom an end of said body and having a smooth continuous surface between:said outlets and said end, and a flexible elastic hollow member snuglyfitting around' said body on which it is disposed and extending overtheoutlets: to the said end of said body so asto normally cover saidoutlets, said member being adapted to flex under pressure of waterescaping through said outlets to emit a water spray under'pressu-re atsaid end of said body, said-flexible member being formed of rubber andserving an exposed cover for said body so that it will resist theabrasive action of the concrete material when it contacts therewith andsubstantially completely enclosing said body to completely protect itfrom said abrasive concrete materials N 7 REFERENCES The following.references are ofr'eeord in the file or this patent":

PATENTS

